Somerset County Council and Gloucestershire County Council were accused at the start of a three-day judicial review of ‘failing to meet statutory obligations’ in making planned cuts to library services.
Somerset intends to withdraw funding from at least 10 libraries and Gloucestershire plans to shut 10 libraries and reduce opening hours at others as part of £114m cost savings expected by 2014.
Campaigners from both counties instigated the legal hearing, being held before the High Court in Birmingham, contesting the proposals breached the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.
Speaking for the claimants Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries (FOGL) and Friends of Somerset Libraries (FOSL), Helen Mountfield QC said that under the act authorities are obliged to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ service.
Citing equalities legislation, she also made the case that the councils had failed to establish the impact of the cuts or ‘fairly and properly’ take into account of views expressed during the consultation.
James Goudie QC will submit a defence today on behalf of the councils and it is possible Mr Justice McKenna will deliver his verdict as early as Thursday. All libraries affected must remain open until the conclusion of the hearing.
